Comments on: Why you don’t need a 64bit kernel

By: mysocialbrain: 01-09-2009 : protagonist

mysocialbrain: 01-09-2009 : protagonist — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:47:00 +0000

[...] why 64bit isn’t always necessary interesting read [...]

By: chrome

chrome — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:31:54 +0000

Wow, never had this many comments.

The post is directed at most users. If you have a genuine need for 64bit kernel, or see some performance increase that is worth the effort, then go for you life. Mere mortals should stick to the 32bit kernel, however.

Obviously, 32bit and 64bit apps will work with either kernel.

By: Timothy

Timothy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:57:50 +0000

You can still run 64-bit applications on the 32-bit kernel, with access to plenty of memory. This blog is just talking about the kernel, not the applications. Two different issues.

Another advantage in running the 32-bit kernel (and applications) is that they will often run a bit faster. Other things being equal, 64-bit code is a little slower for applications which cannot benefit from 64-bit operation. Basically there are more bits to shuttle around. Having a 64-bit application is only an advantage if the application actually needs the capabilities. If you're trying to edit multi-gigabyte image files, that might be one such situation. But that's certainly atypical at the present time.

By: Tom Schmidt

Tom Schmidt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:56:14 +0000

This article makes it sound like 32 bit applications will not run under a 64 bit kernel. Not true. Only things that wouldn’t work would be 32 bit kernel extensions.

By: Rod

Rod — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:50:31 +0000

Well, Geoff. That was his point. Unless a person is running apps like you, at this point in time 64 bit is not going to be the norm now is it?…

By: Jeff H

Jeff H — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:33:59 +0000

This article does not go in-depth enough and is way to vague to make such a bold statement as sticking with a 32 bit kernel. It assumes you are Joe Average user and not a high-end user for the most part. That is why I know from first hand experience that 64 bit kernel and OS is the only way to go if you use high-end applications. I am a 3D artist and use programs that can take advantage of such since they are now written in 64 bit. The more memory I have the better off I am if the applications and OS support it. Programs such as Cinema 4D and others are the ones I use and soon others will be 64 bit too. Right now though, some are just 64 bit on the Windows 7 platform and I can tell you it makes a HUGE difference in time it takes to do renders of art and animations.

For the average user, maybe, but I will certainly be wanting FULL 64 bit support in Snow Leopard which means using the 64 bit kernel.

By: Wes

Wes — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:55:47 +0000

Interesting commentary. I have a Mac Pro with 10Gb of RAM and was wondering if the 64-bit kernel would benefit me. It seems that it probably won’t though based on the cases above.